Ukraine to Free Detainees Arrested During Mass Protests

New amnesty bill saves detainees away from the wrath of prison

The Parliament of Ukraine adopted an amnesty that will release detainees arrested during the violent mass protests popularly called as “EuroMaidan protests” that engulfed the country for the last two months.

Media reports say pro-government and opposition parties approved a bill for amnesty to release all detainees with an exception to those who have committed serious crimes.

The amnesty comes with certain conditions that the amnesty are offered to nearly all those detained by the police if Kiev City Council and other government buildings are free of protesters.

US welcomes the announcement of the new approved amnesty to free detainees

In a press statement in Washington DC, US

Deputy Department Spokesperson Marie Harf said the United States welcomes announcement in Ukraine of the release of all those detained in the EuroMaidan protests.

“We commend the opposition for their decision to vacate occupied government buildings.” – Ms. Harf

The US considers the action as an important step to de-escalate tensions and create space for a peaceful, non-violent solution to Ukraine’s political crisis.

To further build confidence, the US urged the government to cease all investigations, arrests, detentions, and prosecutions against demonstrators and civil society activists arising from EuroMaidan-related protests.

ProEU demonstrations at Maidan Nezalezhnosti, Kiev.

Ms. Harf stressed the next step in the process which is the formation of a multiparty technical government to earn the confidence of the Ukrainian people and restore political and economic stability to Ukraine.

“We encourage all sides to continue to de-escalate tensions and search for a peaceful, mutually acceptable compromise to the current crisis.” – Ms. Harf

Ukraine Protests Turn Deadly

In December 2012, Kiev is engulfed by unrest when massive protest by pro-EU protesters stood their ground after an overnight sweep by riot police.

The authorities sent in battalions of riot police with bulldozers to reclaim the Independence Square. There were records of scuffles and arrests. However, the riot police avoided entering the nearby City Hall and by morning they withdrew from the streets.

In a press statement in Washington DC, US Secretary of State John Kerry condemned the destruction of a protest camp in central Kiev.

The turmoil started in November 2013 when the President Yanukovich yielded pressure from Moscow and spurned a free trade deal with the EU.

Mina Fabulous follows the news, especially what is going on in the US State Department. Mina turns State Department waffle into plain English. Mina Fabulous is the pen name of Carmen Avalino, the NewsBlaze production editor. When she isn’t preparing stories for NewsBlaze writers, she writes stories, but to separate her editing and writing identities, she uses the name given by her family and friends.